The epicenter of the earthquake was 401 km east of Tadine, New Caledonia, and was at a depth of 2 km, according to European Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
Breaking: A major #earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.5 has been reported about 250 miles east of New Caledonia. A #Tsunami Watch has been issued for American Samoa. The threat for a tsunami in areas like Fiji and New Zealand is being monitored. pic.twitter.com/27hsdDzCXT
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) February 10, 2021
A tsunami warning has been issued.
"Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within the next three hours," the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
New Caledonia is located in a seismologically active zone and regularly suffers from powerful earthquakes.